Question about ECs

[TKT01]

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I found that many threads mentioned about leadership or research.
As an asian fob who did not know what I wanted to be for sure, my only ECs were 30 hours of volunteering at a dentistry, 75+ hours of volunteering at PACU, 75+ hours of volunteering at a Physical therapy clinic, and a member of the pre-dental club in undergrad ( not a president or anything like that ).
I honestly did not even know what DO was in undergrad. and I can't help a lack of ECs, such as leadership or being a pre-dent instead of a pre-med, in undergrad now.


I've been recently starting to shadow a DO in my area and to study for MCAT.
Beside getting good score in MCAT and shadowing a DO, what else should I do for my ECs if I'm already finished with my undergrad.?
My only plan is volunteering at a county hospital again for next one year ( I'll probably apply in next year for 2011 class).
Is there specific departments for volunteering that would be needed for a pre-DO?
If so, is there recommanded hours for shadowing DO or those volunteering in each section?
I know that more should be better and I have longer than a year until I will be able to apply.
However, I think that I'm in a hurry since only thing I got is actually undergrad GPA with prereqs. so far, and those volunteering for other careers should be useless.

Any advice could be helpful.

 

[andexterouss]

I've been recently starting to shadow a DO in my area and to study for MCAT.
Beside getting good score in MCAT and shadowing a DO, what else should I do for my ECs if I'm already finished with my undergrad? Research, community service like food drive, clothing donation, soup kitchen. Also expand your hobbies. Do you like mountain climbing, hiking, running the marathon, and culinary cooking? These things make you look well rounded and you can avoid being cast as the "stereotypical" asian.
My only plan is volunteering at a county hospital again for next one year ( I'll probably apply in next year for 2011 class). Good start. You'll be exposed to different medical specialties. You'll also learn a lot about the socioeconomic/underserved population side of medicine since most county hospitals are usually government subsidized and cater to many low-income folks.
Is there specific departments for volunteering that would be needed for a pre-DO?Nope
If so, is there recommanded hours for shadowing DO or those volunteering in each section? 20 hrs can be a good minimum depending on the specialty like family medicine/IM.
I know that more should be better and I have longer than a year until I will be able to apply. Agree.
However, I think that I'm in a hurry since only thing I got is actually undergrad GPA with prereqs. so far. It's never a hurry to start shadowing a doctor. In fact, you might be ahead of the curve since you may discover what specialty you like earlier on and start working towards it(research, LORs) once you hit med school.

Any advice could be helpful.

 

[NPEMTIV]

...my only ECs were 30 hours of volunteering at a dentistry, 75+ hours of volunteering at PACU, 75+ hours of volunteering at a Physical therapy clinic, and a member of the pre-dental club in undergrad ( not a president or anything like that ).

This looks to me (and ADCOMS) like you wanted to be a dentist. Make sure you build up your volunteering with DO/MDs.

I honestly did not even know what DO was in undergrad. and I can't help a lack of ECs, such as leadership or being a pre-dent instead of a pre-med, in undergrad now.

It's fine you were pre-dent, just make sure you have a strong showing of pre-med now. Otherwise it looks like you didn't get into dental school and are trying second options.

I've been recently starting to shadow a DO in my area and to study for MCAT.

Good.

Beside getting good score in MCAT and shadowing a DO, what else should I do for my ECs if I'm already finished with my undergrad.?

Lots of people complete ECs, etc...after undergrad. Try checking the non-traditional threads. The county hospital you're volunteering at is a good showing. Make sure you get plenty of hours there.

My only plan is volunteering at a county hospital again for next one year ( I'll probably apply in next year for 2011 class).

2014 Class

Is there specific departments for volunteering that would be needed for a pre-DO?

No.

If so, is there recommanded hours for shadowing DO or those volunteering in each section?

No.

I know that more should be better and I have longer than a year until I will be able to apply. However, I think that I'm in a hurry since only thing I got is actually undergrad GPA with prereqs. so far, and those volunteering for other careers should be useless.

I wouldn't consider it useless. Use it to your advantage. It can just as easily be said that you tried volunteering/exploring other career fields, but realized they weren't for you. Instead, you found that medicine was the career choice that suits you best. Show this by volunteering equally, or more than, you volunteered in other fields. Stick with your hospital volunteering idea, stick with the DO you are shadowing (especially since most schools will require ad DO LOR), and do well on the MCAT. You'll do fine.